Shopping Kuala Lumpur - shoppers guide
Shopping in Kuala Lumpur seems to have transcended the commercial or even physical realm to have been embedded in the city’s psyche as an almost metaphysical pursuit. An enormous proportion of the city is given over to gigantic shopping malls and KL inhabitants tend to measure their city’s worth by the selection of consumables available for purchase.
And it should come as no surprise, therefore, that absolutely everything and anything is up for grabs here. From the latest gadgets and gizmos for your laptop computer to Borneo pearls, Tiffany bracelets or Jimmy Choo sandals. And if the real McCoy leaves you a little out of pocket there are a hundred-and-one knock-off varieties for sale in the marketplace.
 | Central MarketThe art deco décor of historic Central Market is just half the appeal as it also contains one of the best selections of curios in Southeast Asia including traditional handicrafts...more |  | MallsKuala Lumpur shopping malls rival anywhere in the world with amusement parks, shark tanks and, of course, thousands of shops squeezed inside plus dining and nightlife...more |
 | BatikNo souvenir from Kuala Lumpur is quite as original as some traditional weaved batik patterned fabrics. We’ve got all the info on what to buy, how much to spend and the best way to maintain it...more |  | AntiquesKuala Lumpur is an Aladdin’s cave of antique treasures although finding them at a good price can be tricky. We’ve got the inside knowledge here including recommended outlets...more |
 | Chow KitFrom shrunken body parts to weird and wonderful potions, leave the glitzy shopping centres behind and embrace this traditional Asian wet market where tourists rarely tread...more |  | SouvenirsRead our guide to the best handicrafts and souvenirs that Kuala Lumpur has to offer and make sure nobody back home is left disappointed by trusting our top gift ideas and recommendations...more |
More on shopping in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur shopping malls are complete attractions in their own right equipped with restaurants, cinemas, internet cafes, rollercoasters, aquariums, karaoke bars and anything else you could possibly desire. And strolling around the air-conditioned havens soon becomes addictive when faced with the steamy natural climate outside.
Visitors to Kuala Lumpur shopping for some authentic and original gifts should consider the Malaysian batik handicrafts on offer. They are relatively inexpensive and the traditional geometrical designs and butterfly prints make excellent gifts for family and friends. But beware of cheap imitations where the patterns are superficially printed on the material instead of woven.
And like any Southeast Asian country worth its salt, KL has a wide variety of markets selling all manner of weird and wonderful goods. In Chow Kit everything from animal brains to traditional medicines can be found, while Chinatown has a great choice of ‘designer’ watches and slogan t-shirts for the image-conscious traveller.
Many people wait until they visit the duty free island of Pulau Langkawi before picking up new high-tech gadgets such as cameras and laptops. But electronic goods are especially great value when shopping in Kuala Lumpur as they are tax free all through the capital. And those waiting until they reach the Langkawi will find less choice and higher prices due to the extra transportation costs involved in shipping goods far from Johor Bahru where most of the manufacturing takes place.
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